Pet of the Week

There is something about getting older that makes change feel a little harder. We settle into our routines, find comfort in the familiar, and start to believe we know what the next chapter of our lives will look like. But sometimes, life has other plans.
At 8 years old, Chloe probably never expected to find herself starting over at an animal shelter. Through no fault of her own, the life she knew changed, and this 101-pound senior girl suddenly found herself in a new place, surrounded by unfamiliar people, sounds, and routines.
But Chloe is a wonderful reminder that starting over doesn’t mean the best parts of life are behind you. Spend a little time with her, and you’ll quickly see that there is still plenty of life and plenty of fun in this big girl. Give Chloe a herding ball and some room in the yard, and you might forget you’re watching an 8-year-old senior. She loves pushing and chasing that ball around, occasionally surprising us with a burst of running that seems to say, “Who exactly are you calling old?”
She does have some of the reminders that come with age. Chloe can be a little stiff when getting up after she has been lying down, and these days she is more of a lower-to-moderate-energy kind of girl. But maybe that isn’t such a bad thing. Chloe understands that there is a time for playing outside and a time for slowing down, staying close to your people, and enjoying a really good booty scratch.
And Chloe definitely enjoys a good booty scratch. She is sweet, affectionate, and happiest when she gets to spend time with people. At 101 pounds, there is quite a lot of Chloe to love but somehow, her heart seems even bigger.
Senior animals sometimes get overlooked because people worry there won’t be enough time with them. But there is something incredibly special about giving an older animal the chance to begin again. They aren’t asking you to erase everything that came before. They’re simply looking for someone willing to be part of whatever comes next.
Chloe’s life changed when she least expected it. But her story isn’t over.
There are still balls to chase, sunny afternoons to enjoy, people to love, booty scratches to collect, and a whole lot of beautiful life left to live.
Maybe her next chapter starts with you.